Teaching: the supreme art

I finished my last professional contract in New York in 2008 after years performing in European companies, including English National and Finnish National, before relocating to Australia. I was soon invited to teach at many of the most prestigious ballet schools on the east coast. Eventually I decided to invest in my own studio in Sydney – International Classical Ballet Academy – with my business partner Damian Hannan, where we develop our students’ technique and artistry using a style of teaching based on our professional experience internationally.

What drew you to teaching dance?

When I was a young soloist I had the privilege of being mentored by the great master teacher David Howard. Almost without fail after every class, rehearsal or performance, whether in New York or Finland, David would always seek me out to continue training with him. Working with him I felt like he was passing along a history of classical ballet through himself to me. It went beyond teaching. He shared stories of coaching Gelsey [Kirkland] and [Mikhail] Baryshnikov and describing his life in this rarified air at the heights of the classical ballet world.

This almost fatherly care he showed towards me has stayed with me always. I am not only grateful to have worked closely with someone of such immense talent but to eventually call him a friend. His influence is evident in how I teach: detail driven, repetition and precision focused. He is the inspiration for me being in a position to continue that tradition working closely with talented students and professionals to reach their greatest potential.

It is my greatest pleasure assisting students reach their professional goals on a daily basis.

 This article is included in our special Teacher Focus feature in the current Oct/Nov/Dec issue. Print is for keeps! Buy your copy from your favourite dance retailer or online here or here.